Populations Flashcards
What are the characteristics of populations?
Density = number of individuals per unit area
Distribution = size, shape, and location of area occupied
What is absolute density?
The number of individuals of a population per uni area
-eg. # of moose per hectare
What is ecological density?
The number of individuals of a population per unit area suitable habitat
eg. # if moose per hectare forest
What is dispersal?
The permanent movement of individuals, usually from one population to another
What is gravity seed dispersal?
Large seed size
Short dispersal distances
What is ballistic seed dispersal?
Explosive dispersal
Short dispersal distances
What is wind seed dispersal?
Seeds with appendages
Short to long dispersal distances
What is water seed dispersal?
Seeds with floating capabilities
Short to long dispersal distances
What is animal seed dispersal?
Via ingestion and defecation or hooks
Short to long distances
What is human seed dispersal?
Breeding and transportation
Short to long distances
What can dispersal alter?
Alter species distributions and local population densities
What are the two major categories of dispersal?
Immigration = movement into a local population
Emigration = movement out of a local population
What responses do predators show in response to variations in prey density?
Functional response = increase/decrease in feeding rate short-term
Numerical response = change in density of predator populations in response to changes in prey density
What are the drivers of numerical responses?
Reproduction
Dispersal (aggregative response)
How does reproduction drive numerical responses?
Time lag between peak prey population and peak predator population
Non-synchronized dynamic between predator and prey
Lag due to time needed for predators to produce offspring
How does dispersal drive numerical responses?
No time lag between peak prey population and peak predator population
Synchronized predator and prey dynamics
No time lag as species are highly mobile and can track prey across the landscape
What is distribution limited by?
The physical environment and species niche requirements
A species can only exist in areas where its niche requirements are fulfilled
How can organisms be distributed on smaller scales?
Distributed in patterns that are random, regular, or clumped
What is small scale random distribution?
An individual has equal probability of occurring anywhere in the area
Neutral interactions between individuals, and between individuals and the environment
What is small scale regular distribution?
Individuals are uniformly spaced through the environment
Antagonistic interactions between individuals or local depletion of resources
What is small scale clumped distribution?
Individuals live in areas oh high local abundance, which are separated by areas of low abundance
Attraction between individuals or to a common resource; limited dispersal